Negativland: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

[@3twenty6]

Shout out to the Tiny Desk folks who thought of having Negativland on the show. Great to see all these comments from people who weren't familiar with the band. This is one of the most inventive groups out there, and it's criminal how few people are aware of them.

[@omegainvestments2345]

NPR did something good

[@Jenny_Oblivion]

This is important & it’s great that this has been recorded

[@peterhellmuth7384]

Over The Edge, KPFA, Berkeley 94.1

[@LarryC-stratboy]

I was lucky enough to see Negativland in Athens, GA back in 1992 or 1993 at the 40 Watt. Waiting for the show to start, I noticed a toaster on the speakers on both sides of the stage. When the show started, one of the Negativland dudes put a slice of bread in each toaster and pushed the toaster lever down. I thought, OK, he's going to chuck toast out into the audience. Nope. Every time the toast would pop up from one of the toasters, he calmly walked over to the toaster and pushed the lever down again...without taking out the toast. After a few cycles, the burnt bread smell filled the club. As I recall, he kept doing it until the end of the show. We were hearing, seeing and smelling the show. I don't have the words to express how cool it was. I've never seen anything like it. A truly unique experience.

[@Msyjsm]

The implication that one normally doesn't smell a show is extremely confusing to me.

[@chrisdeitzel]

Yes! Remember that. And throwing eggs into the audience perhaps?

[@LarryC-stratboy]

@@Msyjsm sigh. Extremely burnt toast is the point. I forgot I was speaking to the entire world. I should have used better words. You are correct in that most people smell shows. Thanks for making me smile friend. Peace to ya.

[@MahlenMorris]

In San Francisco during that period, they would often end the show with a toaster on a stool front and center on the stage. With great theatricality, Mark would put bread into the toaster and lock the latch down, so it couldn't pop back up. The bread would toast and then slowly burn while the band played behind it, then the toast would catch fire. The flames would start low and climb higher; never terribly high, but still a lot higher than you would want at home! The music would end to thunderous applause as the members walked off stage, the flames from the rapidly dying toaster lighting the way.

[@psul42]

This absolutely happened when I saw Negativland in Olympia WA in 92 or 93 like you said. Some tiny bar called the Oyster something. They had a card table with a 4 slice toaster on.each side. Bread goes in, never comes out and soon we are in solid toast smoke down to our nipples. Amazing show. Audience abuse done right.

[@orpheusstain3153]

Thank you tinydesk. And Thank U 2 NEGATIVLAND. .... Love it.

[@LarryC-stratboy]

I see what you did there. ;) I have an autographed copy of that lawsuit album on vinyl that was supposed to be destroyed. Love me some Negativland!

[@KN-xl6lw]

It's ridiculous it's not even funny

[@MsWeezieJ]

Communism is good!

[@dickrush4178]

Is there any escape ?

[@artgreig7069]

This concert is/was absolute genius/folly and I miss those days!

[@PentameronSV]

0:00 - *It's Normal* [6:22] - *No Brain* [9:21] - *Reality Game* [14:05] - *I'm Going to Sing Now* [17:58 - Tiny Desk team]

[@Ttwistapaite]

Never expected to see this band on tiny desk

[@shardanette1]

My thought exactly when I saw the title. Brought me back to 1988 right away. Can't say I've listened to them much since then.

[@KN-xl6lw]

Do you know how many time zones there are in the Soviet Union?

[@BobPagani]

@@KN-xl6lw 17, I believe.

[@Kilgoretrout_]

Never in my wildest dreams would I connect Negativeland (or Weatherman) with NPR

[@dickrush4178]

@@BobPagani ELEVEN

[@jamesdillaman]

I’m either too old, too young, or just too sober to fully appreciate this and want to listen to it more than once, but I appreciate NPR for bringing me something I would otherwise never experience.

[@alyx_ander]

plus the visuals are being performed with a film enlarger!

[@QuantumElectricians]

Google Negativland and throw out your TV.

[@garlowe8565]

Yeah. Good one NPR. Negativland has been performing on KPFA every Thursday for 30 years until the tragic death of Don Joyce. The show still goes on… But yeah. Nice.

[@RobFieldFlorida]

It's an old folks band. I got my first album of theirs in the late 1980s.

[@davenik1999]

Perhaps try trepanation to liberate your third eye; then all will become clear! (YMMV)

[@roydhatta]

I'm so glad Negativland is still around. For me, they're the band that represents the weird, tech-savvy, psychedelic, performance/sound art, with a high level of critical thought about our media landscape. I applaud the Tiny Desk folks who are familiar with their satire! Thanks 2 U the world will be entertained while piercing the fog that we're constantly mired in with media packages sold to us on TV, Radio, the internet, and all the forms of media that it critiques. One of the best bands that truly represents a slice of the Bay Area.

[@atomictraveller]

for me they present an expression of epistemological solipsism in a state where belief is basically a function of your HSS from here forwards. free west papua.

[@KN-xl6lw]

"Shop as usual, and avoid panic buying" - Even more relevant in 2021 than it was in 1987

[@RobFieldFlorida]

Yeah, try listening to "Free," from 1993. I've been listening to it since it was released, but it never sounds dated. It's honestly one of the best critiques of modern american culture I've ever encountered.

[@atomictraveller]

"i don't know anything" either, sho nuf epistemological solipsism. radacull

[@RubyGautami]

Tiny Desk is the Music Appreciation teacher I never had

[@yeipr2]

We're used to see great vocal and instrumental performances around here. This is something else. This level of technical prowess and the extent to which this complex experience was elaborated is jaw-dropping. This managed to get my full, undivided attention for 18+ minutes while on my phone screen at home, a feature rarely achieved by any content at this point, outside of a museum or a theater. Thank you to the NPR for opening this window and thank you to Negativland for tayloring this fine experience for the Tiny Desk crowd. Your art is awesome.

[@sueslagle5588]

Thank you! That’s a huge compliment. I’m in the top right. SUE-C

[@snugganut]

Yeah! I also wanna say thank you for this very nice compliment! I was A/V Traffic Control on this, and it really did take a ton of experimentation and practice to make this work.

[@davenik1999]

@@sueslagle5588Holding it down on the brain-melting visuals with old-skool tech! Nicely done ❤

[@davenik1999]

@@snugganutworth the effort!

[@peterhellmuth7384]

@@sueslagle5588opaque projectile negative bombing

[@BrianKishreviews]

One of the most under-appreciated bands of all time...glad to see they continue to polarize.

[@adamtheis6662]

I used to hear these guys on KPFA radio late at night when driving home from gigs...and I have them to thank for keeping me awake by just boggling my mind. So cool to see them in action.

[@peterhellmuth7384]

Ditto...& Joe Frank storytime

[@ronakane9959]

I have been listening to Negativland since the 90's yet have never seen them before. "I think I'm gonna sing now!" The joyous snarkiness of this ageless voice delights me. Always unexpected socially relevant and humorous.

[@NotRightMusic]

Negativland are legends. They have influenced and inspired many. Hopefully a platform as popular as NPR will help to continue to spread their creativity.

[@nathanielautomaton]

I'm a little late, but thank you NPR and thank you Negativland. Been listening since Escape from Noise (thanks KTRU/Genetic Memory/ Chuck Roast). Got to witness both True/False and It's All in Your Head FM in Austin and Houston respectively. Hands down two of the most entertaining, thought provoking and mind bending live performances I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. This little performance here made my day…warmed the cockles of my heart, as the kids are so fond of saying these days. Glad to see you're still at it, the world will always need more Negativland (whether they know it or not). Love the visual collage and technique too. Culture Jam on. This statement is True…and we get into a loop which goes on Forever…

[@dj99surf]

I've been a fan since 1982. They definitely shaped and influenced my taste in music.

[@DJ_Pigg]

What a great choice for a Tiny Desk concert! They're mind-bendingly good live, go see them when you get the chance!

[@garlowe8565]

Ironic. Negativland was one major reason I switched FROM NPR to KPFA Pacifica radio 20 years ago. RIP Don Joyce.

[@eliznaomistuart]

YAY! Love seeing Negativland on Tiny Desk!!

[@benjamite15]

One of the best groups still getting better.

[@chateaudisco1436]

Ah David Wills! I hadn’t realised how much I’ve missed the sound of his voice!

[@BobPagani]

Hes on Facebook as "Buddy Runyan."

[@chateaudisco1436]

@@BobPagani 🙏

[@BobPagani]

@@chateaudisco1436 :)

[@nibyafternight1983]

Ok from all the bands that could potentially get a Tiny Desk i wasn't expecting to be this one

[@thomasshears1933]

Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuuue ese s ese

[@stellastellub]

they slayed

[@timmccoy9881]

It was different. Never heard of this group but it was entertaining.. Very interesting... Great job. Thanks Tiny desk

[@jamilabest8360]

This was an interesting choice, Tiny Desk. Thank you for helping to grow our appreciation for varied music styles. Different.

[@TehAwesomer]

10:59 - "If I have one regret in life, it's that my undead priest is smarter than I am and shows each player a different version of the world depending on what the whole world edits together" 🤯🧟‍♂⛪

[@scottogden5621]

Since the novelty of seeing 6 band members crammed in a DC cubicle is on pause, a weird video collage 'concert' makes a lot of sense. Odd, fun & thoughtful. Thanks.

[@jamesboston]

Do you know how many time zones there are in the Soviet Union? It's not even funny.

[@j.frankparnell.radiation]

11

[@KN-xl6lw]

"Uh, yessir. Uh, four ... uh, nosir. I never really studied that up."

[@alxvdark]

I'm saying: eleven

[@nickgrace]

That's ridiculous.

[@grahamcawthorne]

It’s not even funny!

[@weynagrom]

Brilliant. Thank you for the break in regular programming, NPR.

[@FreshEthics]

I will never overthink anything again

[@KN-xl6lw]

Misinformation is necessary. We need to prune our neural nets just to cross the street.

[@travelerae1]

@@KN-xl6lw It's your face, you decide how to hide it.

[@Agnes.]

Causing trouble while having fun ... thanx a lot for this experience and understanding these days

[@stanimosity]

it's good to see the Booper......weatherman forever

[@BADupree]

Negativeland comes out swinging as usual.

[@jaredbaez5457]

I think nobody see this coming, Negativland is such an underrated band

[@gweganderson]

It's sad to see the hate in the comments. This personally made my day. I adore Negativland.

[@MrTaylorTexas]

Never heard of the tiny desk music until I did a negative land search . Glad to hear that some good music can still be found in that part of the dial. Or digit.

[@snoosri]

or fnagn

[@kfdrefwedw]

i was listening to Escape from noise yesterday after sooo much time and today I find this, lol crazy timing!

[@fightingfoo]

WOW! Super cool Jonathan!!

[@dh3541]

Tiny Desk has introduced me to so much new music, but finally a band I already knew and loved!

[@prokesuk]

There was a tour where Wills performed on a screen, so this make a sense. Plus, a huge body of their work was as part of a radio show. This show seems perfectly suited for them.

[@antoniovergara3148]

DISPEPSI, saw the Chicago show.

[@rosswightman2720]

Greatest of all time

[@atomictraveller]

truth spoken

[@oulafursson]

Thank you, Tiny desk! Thank you, Negativland!

[@kevinmackler]

now that we've done this on NPR lets get The Books back together and do a reunion tiny desk show

[@robbery666.]

yes!

[@DerFroschMitMaske]

This beginning is some strong ASMR...

[@hennerwhack]

Wow, tiny desk. I mean, yeah, I'll take it

[@ATROPAsound]

Pure Fire 🔥

[@voiddweller5331]

It's nice to see the weather man

[@joeandverna9575]

We need Negativland now more than ever! Let the sounds flow through you. Don’t try to make sense of it. Like abstract art.

[@geografiadelruido3634]

this is in my top 5 tiny desk concert

[@marisaelenenadiejamusiccom3974]

They are really interesting..some of their work is very impressive..Jon Leidecker from Negatlivland just wrote me about the fact that some of my singing/ comedy is going on his next album. I feel complimented that Jon would put me on his record. He has also put me on the radio and he has interviewed me on the radio in SF..Sweet people and they are inspiring in many different ways.

[@drumspacebasel]

wow! that was fun ! thanx a lot

[@andrewwilliams9599]

Lots of people don't know that TDU creator/producer Bob Boilen was the synth player in the DC area New Wave band Tiny Desk Unit, so Negativland is right up his alley.

[@alejandroalejandro9652]

Esta bueno el hamparte! no ya en serio lo de las imágenes y ver cómo lo hacía estuvo interesante, lo demás no es mi estilo pero para conocer algo diferente meh supongo que estuvo bien! Que gran diversidad nos trae tiny sigan así!! Saludos!

[@POSTHUMANandMe]

Ese Antonio García estaba en los huevos del padre cuando está banda ya se había formado. Que decís amigo?

[@j.frankparnell.radiation]

THANK YOU!

[@genghis_connie]

What a crazy way to wake up... a sadly little-known late 1970's "sound collage" group. I'd call it "noise jazz," and hope they get a second wind -- but they're no Gwern Stefani. Now that's sound art. 🤣 Hey, thanks for the coffee at Congress, Mark.

[@yakovhadash]

b a n a n a s ?

[@genghis_connie]

@@yakovhadash HA! That cheerleading singing muppet is as predictable as another wrinkle onnKeith Richards' face. Blah. These folks could sample her as noise - because clearly there cannot be too many layers in noise jazz. B-b-b- a n a n a-a-a-s.

[@thisstraight3941]

Got some pretty positiv feelings for negativland

[@joneswlsng6738]

I too demand justice

[@jaimeluisantonioguzmanchav5391]

This is sooo epic! Love Negativland :D

[@RatatRatR]

wow, thanks NPR

[@bernmahan1162]

Great to see you putting on these noisefreaks. It is a cultural crime that they not better known, albeit not surprising - hardly Beyonce, is it? This may change that. Great "band"!

[@steffenburatti1768]

So great. I keep coming back

[@steffenburatti1768]

Even still

[@navelees]

Negativland!

[@learningwithharry4996]

This is incredible.

[@alexbrander5464]

Sounds like the channel where mushrooms are hooked up to synth to generate mushroom music

[@marklunn321]

Thanks NPR!

[@robbeers6001]

Absolutely Fresshh.💯💫💥👍🤙

[@blueunicornhere]

blueunicorn will never forget the first time was booped by the weatherman. blueunicorn thanks the weatherman and his booper. bi'lal kaifa

[@russellclash]

vibrating right in front of my face! dis pepsi, drink pepsid

[@Dante-ki4ol]

Too cool for NPR.

[@Ohyehah]

This channel does an amazing job of introducing fans of certain styles of music to other ones. I hope this also applies for this one!

[@conformistkeozah-ig3502]

Thank you Negativland. You guys have been my happy heroes since my friend Ian was one of your Legion. I remember a wonderful song he had made of somebody asking if they could still use his equipment after being thrown out of the band. RIP Ian. His friend Alex Cory and I

[@conformistkeozah-ig3502]

love you guys

[@BrianKrock]

I think I'm gunna siiiinnnnggggg!

[@faeskruff1772]

This sounds like "sound editing just gets easier and easier" soulwax sample meets 2 lone swordsmen late 90s and some warp live stuff from round then

[@TehAwesomer]

For an extra little bit of meta... that sample originally came with Sony's Sound Forge sound editing software as a file called "Voiceover.pca" and is an example file that the manual refers to for use in understanding how the software works.

[@KatzeOhneGnade]

love it!

[@dlwseattle]

Negativeland are to music what the Firesign Theatre is to comedy!

[@philipperkins7347]

Yay! Thanks! Genius!

[@matthiasritzka1833]

This was an experience !

[@andylane3739]

looks like there's new members. cool

[@PaulMLombardi]

Wild--I love it!

[@Quixiot]

I don't know what I just listened to but that's uhh, that's alright I guess.

[@harrygooch834]

Ross from Friends keyboard solo springs to mind.

[@siscili333]

Freedom is waiting, at your 7- Eleven!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@into_the_void]

This is a trip

[@David-tg5nz]

why are we playing these instrumentals? cos we got em?

[@David-tg5nz]

so goooooooooooooood

[@BobPagani]

Ponderous, man, ponderous.

[@xrayvisi0ns]

GOAT

[@hereintheyear]

thanks NPR (???) this rules

[@reedybloke]

So very OK and normal.

[@QuantumElectricians]

We don't have enough data! We don't have enough DADA!

[@negativezero3107]

I did WAY too much acid in Colorado Springs in about 1992, about 6 hits of some nasty stuff, and listened to Escape From Noise album over n over for about 12 hours, fully understood it....

[@croiners4166]

Wow!❤

[@merilandio]

Is the closest we are gonna get to Laurie Anderson in a tiny desk concert

[@pimpbisquick7036]

... I mean, she seems like a great NPR performer to feature.

[@pimpbisquick7036]

Oh yeah, she's appeared on it since this comment.

[@leewilliams6200]

i love it.

[@linwarutaarustaw7508]

This was interesting! Thanks! 🦋💚🙏💙🍀

[@addama]

So this person can, in fact, sing

[@pharaohjb]

No other possibility.

[@ericseeley3074]

I'm the kind of guy who can find some enjoyment out of this, I like things that are new and wildly unpredictable. I think this is awesome. But if this isn't for you, trust me, I get it and I won't try to convince you!

[@artgreig7069]

No other possibility!

[@lyanlyan7307]

awesome.

[@this-is-slammin-549]

Who is the woman doing the visuals?

[@BobPagani]

Sue-C

[@this-is-slammin-549]

@@BobPagani does she do any of the music?

[@BobPagani]

@@this-is-slammin-549 Not that I've ever seen. She's strictly visual.

[@calvnnhobs]

What is the app Wobbly uses on the tablets? Love jamming samples

[@ndf3]

My brain and I are one!